Shrewsbury Building
For over 40 years, the Shrewsbury Building has been the creative heart of Diocesan – home to visual arts, photography, painting, printmaking, fabric, and food technology.
But in today’s fast-moving digital world, the space no longer meets the needs of our students.
The world has changed and so has education. To deliver a learning experience that is modern, relevant, and future-focused, we must reimagine the spaces where learning takes place.
“Shrewsbury’s upgrade will play a vital part in creating an inspirational learning environment for the Visual Arts – fostering creativity, engagement, and a sense of community.”
– Toni Carter, Head of Visual Arts
We’re breathing new life into Shrewsbury, transforming it into a dynamic, future-ready creative hub, purpose-built to inspire innovation and excellence. The redevelopment includes:
• Flexible learning zones to suit different styles of work
• A mezzanine-level student gallery for exhibitions and showcases
• A cutting-edge FAB Lab with 3D printers, laser cutters, and digital design tools
• Open-plan senior art studios and individual creative workspaces
• A reinstated mixed-media workshop to foster cross-disciplinary collaboration
By retaining and working with the existing structure – renovating rather than rebuilding – we’re taking a more sustainable, carbon-conscious approach. The redesigned building will increase floorspace by 181 square metres, improving functionality and creating more opportunities for learning and collaboration.
This is more than a building project- it’s an investment in the next generation of creative thinkers. The transformed Shrewsbury will be fit for purpose, designed to reflect the real-world environments students will move into beyond school. It will also enable better collaboration across subjects, encouraging innovation in the Creative Industries.
Construction began in December 2024 and will continue through 2025. We are inviting our community to be part of this outstanding project. Whether through a one-off gift, a pledge, or a naming opportunity, your support, large or small, will make a tangible difference to the experience of current and future Dio students. This is a rare opportunity to be part of something transformational- shaping how generations of Dio girls will learn, create, and thrive.
How you can help
To donate please visit:
diocesan.school.nz/donate
Or contact: Angela Coe, Director of Development
E. [email protected]
M. +64 21 730 037
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